CHIPPING Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon sang the praises of Snow Leopardess after the grey gave him a second success in the EBF & TBA Mares’ National Hunt Novices’ Hurdle Finale at Newbury.

Longsdon, who saddled Kalane to take the Grade 2 contest two years ago, was thrilled to see the five-year-old return to winning ways, blaming himself for her defeat at Doncaster last time out.

Taking up the running two flights from home in the extended two-and-a-half-mile limited handicap, the daughter of Martaline stayed on tenaciously under Aidan Coleman to see off fellow 7-1 joint-favourite Copper Kay by four lengths.

Longsdon said: “Snow Leopardess has always been good.

“I got it totally wrong last time out. She had a break with her owner (Marietta Fox-Pitt) over Christmas before I then took her back and gave her a bit of work.

“I then ran her two weeks later when she was only half fit. It was totally my fault.

“She has had plenty of work since her last run and has won as I hoped she would today. She doesn’t show a lot at home as she is very laid-back.

“She keeps herself for the racecourse and has a lovely way of going.”

Snow Leopardess, who could now go for a Grade 1 mares’ race at Fairyhouse next month, helped Coleman make amends for 12 months ago when he crossed the line first on Lady Of Lamanver only to lose the race to Briery Queen in the stewards’ room.

He said: “I got a lovely run round and she travelled brilliantly. She has courage and went on and did it well.

“She had a look around in front, but is a really nice mare. To be fair to Charlie, if you look at her form, she has been campaigned brilliantly. She won a good bumper at Gowran and ran well in the mares’ race at Aintree last year.”

On the Flat, Magic Mirror showed her 50-1 win at Kempton in January for Leafield trainer Mark Rimell was no fluke by returning to the Sunbury track to repeat the success.

Sent off a 7-1 chance this time as she dropped back in trip for a seven-furlong handicap from a mile, the four-year-old filly flew home under Tom Marquand to collar Bounty Pursuit in the final strides by a head.